My 404C resto begins!

[Mike Tippett]

What's happening with the mechanical components?

I will take the gearbox soon to a transmission shop in Victoria BC to have the bearings and seals replaced. I will disassemble the engine around that time and start the work on it. I have new high compression pistons in an 0111.31 set from Peugeot but before reassembling it, the block needs to be be boiled out and painted, the crank sludge traps need to be removed and oiling channels cleared, crank inspected and ground if necessary. I have a brand new 8 port head but the valve seats must be replaced with hardened ones, so I will need to send that out around the same time.

The suspension is totally rebuilt with new parts now, including new Peugeot front dampers. The braking system is Hydrovac and I have a NOS Hydrovac booster and rebuild kits for all cylinders, new brake hoses.

The upholstery needs to be done too. Leather is incorrect for a Coupé but I am thinking I'll get light grey leather for the seats.

 

[Mike Tippett]

It seems to me that rear battery mount bracket is bent. I recall that they(on sedan anyway) were vertical.

It is vertical, look at the back of the horizontal flange, that is where the tray is bolted to the bracket. The horizontal bit is used for something else.

 

[robmac]

It is vertical, look at the back of the horizontal flange, that is where the tray is bolted to the bracket. The horizontal bit is used for something else.

Indeed correct. I'd completely overlooked the hex head self tapper securing the battery tray.

 

[alpine]

coupe

looking great Mike, a lovely color choice

 

[Mike Tippett]

There is not a lot to report on the bodyshell other than it has the anti gravel undercoat on it now.

Friday afternoon I reassembled the struts, with new grease seals, new roller bearings for the steering swivels, new rubber boot and new upper cups. *That factory spring compressor is fantastic!

 

[Dano]

Mike,

The proper spring compressors are the only way to go. They make it a lot easier and safer to remove and refit the springs. I've seen some very dodgy apparatuses being used. When a 404 spring lets go, you don't wont to be standing around.

Cheers

Dano

 

[Mike Tippett]

Work continues. Wow does the blue ever look dark when the car is in the shop! It's the same paint that you see in the engine compartment photo from a few weeks ago!

 

[Mike Tippett]

 

[Mike Tippett]

June 2nd: the trim is being test fitted and the final body blocking is underway. Paint should be applied by the end of the next week: dark blue. :headbang:

 

[Mike Tippett]

This week, Harry Kalsbeek sent me a most appreciated gift - exact replicas of the Kalsbeek Motors dealer sticker that were on all cars they sold from their Ontario dealership in the sixties. This will again be worn with pride on the back of my 404 Coupé - delivered to its first owner in BC by Harry's parents themselves, all the way from the Greater Toronto Area - once the car is delivered back to me. He also sent some Castrol oil change door jamb stickers printed with the dealership name.

 

[Mike Tippett]

This afternoon I decided to have a look inside the lever end of the Italian-made Nardi floor shifter that my 404C had from new. The last two I opened up had plastic bushings that had disintegrated over time and I thought that this one had a plastic bushing too, but intact, because the lever action was perfect.

After removing the 4 screws below the shifter, there was some very old, dirty oil in there. This end of the shifter cannot get any lubrication from the gearbox proper even though it's attached to it. The other two 404 Nardi shifters I had in the past were dry in there, with just some grease on the moving parts....

After removing two circlips, the mechanism comes apart. I could have removed the lever but decided against it because the bolt inside the mechanism is tied shut with a wire and it seemed very serene - I could clean around the lever, with it still somewhat attached.....

The bushing in this version of the Nardi is definitely not plastic, it's bronze or brass! It's in great condition!

View of the bronze bushing, which when the lever is actuated, moves up and down inside the sleeve attached to the shifter rod that transmits the action to the gearbox shifting forks.

The sump has been drained and cleaned out, and the bronze bushing is again circlipsed into place.

The sealing faces and threading of the little sump were carefully cleaned and then sealed with Hylomar Blue, to prevent any oil leaks.

Sump screw on the Nardi, accessible from inside the car, 24 mm.

...and refilled with Yacco vegetable based differential oil!

 

[edgedweller]

Mike, impressed with your disavowal of traditional men's clothing colours. and envious, of course ...

ed

 

[Mike Tippett]

Newly powder coated wheels, new door jamb sill plates, some minor parts:

New XAS tires for the 4 rims and spare:

Rebuilt pedal assembly:

Disassembled grille:

 

[Peter C]

Great progress Mike and such a high standard. You do realise that there are many envious people out there?

 

[Mike Tippett]

Now, you're probably thinking: "Mike, when - for criminy sake - will your 404 be painted?" Well, I was asked to bring the grille surround back to the shop on Bastille Day to Coachwerks, as the bodyshell is virtually ready to paint. A final fitting of the grill surround to the shell will confirm that it's ready. Meanwhile, two of the three taillight bezels I have as well as the door handles are still at the chrome shop, as well as both bumpers, the latter for dent repair and polishing only.

You've read this before, but it's possible that the car will be painted in a week's time, and almost certainly by the end of July.

So, Peter Gallagher of Automotion, 1390 Pemberton Avenue North Vancouver, did the mounting and balancing when I was at his shop on Tuesday (11 July) morning. When I arrived he was nearly done, but I managed to catch the last bit of work. The wheels were "too pretty", Peter said, to hammer rim weights onto, so he used stick-on weights that will be invisible behind the large hubcaps.

I think I will keep the two 30 year old Michelin MXL and two 28 year old XM+S 100 tires on rims, so when the car sits in the garage it can be on those tires, saving the XAS from flat-spotting during storage.

 

[dalderton]

That Tyre bloke is definately of the old school,doesnt matter how the workshop looks as long as the job is done right.
Regards Dennis.

 

[Mike Tippett]

The car has been in the booth since Friday and today was to be paint day but Andy, the painter, required a final fettling, being a perfectionist. So....paint goes on Wednesday 16 August.

 

[Mike Tippett]

The deep blue paint has been applied today!

Reminder: This engine bay photo was taken in sunlight and it looks much brighter in this type of light.

There are a few more on the restoration page, under "paint": Paint

 

[Dano]

Mike,

So jealous as to where your are with your car.

What a fantastic colour!!

How big is the grin on your dial?

Cheers,

Dan

 

[Peter C]

C'est magnifique!